Illinois boat club plans vote on women members

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Membership in the Motor Boat Club at Lake Springfield has been limited to men since it opened in 1933, but that may be about to change.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports (http://bit.ly/ncoft1 ) that on Thursday the club's 237 members will vote on whether to change the rules to admit women.

Gene Hayes is the club's commodore. He says he isn't sure if the measure will pass. But he says the club needs new members.

Membership is down by about 100 in the past two years.

The club's restrictions don't prevent women from using facilities such as the restaurant and beach. Wives and daughters are welcome, but they can't be members. Widows of members receive non-voting courtesy memberships.